Androgenic Anabolic Steroids Use in Pakistan From the Perspective of Bodybuilders

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) use among bodybuilders in different cities of Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited ۳۸۰ bodybuilders utilizing convenience sampling from different cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. The study was conducted over a period of ۶ months from January ۲۰۱۹ to June ۲۰۱۹. The sample included male bodybuilders aged ۱۸ to ۵۰ years. The basic demographic sheet and a self-designed form were used to collect data. SPSS software v. ۲۱ was utilized for statistical analysis. The chi-square test was used to observe any relationship with P<۰.۰۵ as significant. Results: The current study showed a prevalence of ۱۰۹ (۲۸.۶۸%) AAS use in bodybuilders with testosterone being most commonly used. A total of ۵۴ people (۴۹.۵%) used self-administration, ۳۸ people (۳۴.۹%) used it for the short-term while ۲۷ people (۲۴.۸%) used it in long-term. Bodybuilders were mostly inspired by peers ۷۳ (۶۷%) and encouraged by coaches ۶۲ (۵۶.۹%) to use AAS. Regarding knowledge of AAS, its usage, benefits, and side effects, the majority (۸۹%) had little or no knowledge. Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of AAS is quite prevalent among bodybuilders in Pakistan with ۲۸.۶۸% of AAS mainly using testosterone preparation, and bodybuilders of age ۲۰ to ۴۰ mainly consuming AAS. Peers were the main inspiration for most (۶۷%) and encouraged by their coaches to use AAS (۵۶.۹%).

کلیدواژه ها:

Androgenic anabolic steroids ، Health ، Human body ، Power ، Testosterone